EU Warns Bulgaria over Sustainable Use of Pesticides

Bulgaria is among the seven EU member states that have received a formal request by the European Commission urging them to ensure full compliance with the Framework Directive on the sustainable use of pesticides.

The European Commission has also sent formal requests to Belgium, Denmark, Lithuania, Luxembourg and Poland.

The directive sets rules for the sustainable use of pesticides to reduce the risks and impact of pesticide use on people's health and the environment.

These seven member states still have not fully turned this directive into national law, although they were required to do so by 26 November 2011.

The directive has been partially implemented by Belgium, Denmark, Lithuania, Poland and Slovenia but shortcomings ranging from certification systems for professional users to requirements on the protection of the aquatic environment still exist.

Bulgaria and Luxembourg have not notified any measures.

Member states concerned have 2 months to inform the Commission of measures taken to ensure full compliance with EU law. Failure to notify adequate measures could lead to the Commission referring the cases to the European Court of Justice.